Test Anxiety on Bowel Health and Constipation in Students
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
AgeNot listed
SponsorLokman Hekim University
About this trial
This observational cross-sectional study aims to examine the relationship between test anxiety, bowel health, and constipation in university students. The study will include undergraduate students aged 18 years and older who are studying in the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at Lokman Hekim University and who are in their final examination period.
Participants will complete self-report questionnaires during a single face-to-face assessment session. Constipation status will be evaluated using the Rome IV criteria, stool form will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Scale, constipation severity will be assessed using the Constipation Severity Instrument, and test anxiety level will be assessed using the Test Anxiety Inventory. Sociodemographic characteristics and bowel-related symptoms will also be recorded.
The study does not include any intervention or treatment. The findings are expected to help better understand whether test anxiety during examination periods is associated with bowel health problems and constipation in university students.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Being an undergraduate student in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Lokman Hekim University
Being in the final examination period during the data collection process
Having sufficient reading and comprehension skills to complete the questionnaires independently
Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study after reading and signing the informed consent form
Disqualifiers
Having inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, colorectal cancer, or a history of major gastrointestinal surgery
Having diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome or another organic gastrointestinal disease
Regular use of laxatives or medications that directly affect bowel movements, such as opioids
Having neurological diseases that may affect bowel function, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or spinal cord injury
Trial population
The study population will include undergraduate Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation students at Lokman Hekim University who are in their final examination period during the data collection process. Eligible participants will be 18 years of age or older, able to read and complete the self-report questionnaires independently, and willing to provide written informed consent.
Trial design
Design model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
Observational assessment
Other interventionParticipants completed assessment forms and diaries. No intervention was administered.
Treatment groups
200 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: University Students1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Constipation Status Assessed by the Rome IV Criteria
Constipation status will be assessed using the Rome IV criteria. This outcome will be reported as a binary classification: presence or absence of constipation. Participants will be classified as having constipation or not having constipation according to constipation-related symptoms, including reduced stool frequency, straining, hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal obstruction, and need for manual maneuvers. The Rome IV criteria will not be reported as a scale score.
Time frame
Baseline (Day 1)Secondary outcomes
1
Constipation Severity Assessed by the Constipation Severity Instrument
Constipation severity will be assessed using the Constipation Severity Instrument. The scale includes 16 items and evaluates constipation-related symptoms across three subdomains: obstructive defecation, colonic inertia, and pain. The total score ranges from 0 to 73, with higher scores indicating more severe constipation symptoms.
Time frame
Baseline (Day 1)2
Stool Form Assessed by the Bristol Stool Scale
Stool form will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Scale. The Bristol Stool Scale is a 7-point stool form classification scale ranging from Type 1 to Type 7. Type 1 indicates separate hard lumps, and Type 7 indicates watery stool with no solid pieces. Higher scores do not indicate a better or worse outcome; lower scores generally indicate harder stool forms, while higher scores indicate looser stool forms. Participants will be asked to select the stool type that best represents their most common stool form during the last week.
Time frame
Baseline (Day 1)3
Test Anxiety Level Assessed by the Test Anxiety Inventory
Test anxiety level will be assessed using the Test Anxiety Inventory. The scale consists of 20 self-report items evaluating cognitive, emotional, and physiological symptoms of anxiety experienced before and during examinations. Total scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating higher test anxiety.
Time frame
Baseline (Day 1)4
Bowel Habits and Bowel-Related Symptoms
Bowel habits and bowel-related symptoms will be assessed using a researcher-developed evaluation form. The form includes questions about stool frequency, postponement of defecation, perceived bowel health, preferred toilet type, and symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and constipation during the last week.
Time frame
Baseline (Day 1)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov